Lockheed Martin promotes F-35 as economic ‘catalyst’ ahead of UK budget
Lockheed Martin expects all remaining Tranche 1 F-35Bs to be delivered by the end of 2025. (Photo: UK Crown Copyright)
The company estimated a gross value add to the UK economy of £45.2 billion up to 2046, with the F-35 programme sustaining more than 20,000 UK jobs over its development, production, integration and maintenance.
Lockheed Martin has highlighted the strategic and economic importance of the F-35 within the UK, ahead of an informal showcase of its capabilities alongside other key partners in Team Lightning UK with government ministers and MPs.
The update from the US company came ahead of updated UK defence expenditure figures which will be expected to be published as part of the government’s budget announcement later this week. The UK’s governing Labour Party has committed to increasing defence spending to 2.5% of GDP, although defence spending cuts have been implied by ministers with no definitive timeline mapped out to achieve the 2.5% goal.
At present, Lockheed Martin claimed
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